Guild Wars 2

Maybe people should stop doomsaying and whining before the actual detailed changes are released. Who knows what ELSE they will add/change to balance things. I’d find it hilarious if they buff Mesmer despite the doom and gloom here over a signet change.

It could be anet totally screws PvE for PvP/WvW balances. Until we get the actual changes I am not wasting time crying a river and overreacting. IF things end up being as ppl say here, I will be there with my own tears. Until then, I’ll wait before grabbing the pitchforks and torches. Plus I misplaced my pitchforks.

Basically, it will force Druids in PvE to heal w/ healing gear. There was the do I go full magi or not debate. Well, now that’s asnwered :P You could literally have full zerker gear with food, monk runes, a little HP and main heal a Raid. That won’t be the case now; I am fine with that. Not necessarily full magi but it depends what “HP contribution will enhance significantly” means in reality; or well game reality.

(LXS) The League of Xtraordinary Slackers
NA/Ehmry Bay

EDIT (8-16-17): Balzathar isn’t the only slacker to return to GW2; slackers are back to “Slack together, work alone!” and recruiting finally again!

PoF returning/rebuilding, thus currently SMALLER guild -> grow. FROM SWTOR. We have a royal slacker theme so let’s get down to it my potential slacker peasants – if it’s already a struggle for you to read this paragraph and it is making you yawn, you’re halfway to being a slacker!

LOOKING FOR – friendly, mature, communal, and ALL experiences who want a quirky fun family to help/be part of a smaller/medium sized guild of proud slackers where it’s quality > quant.

GW2 apply No one likes doin’ apps, but best way to get yer cupcakes! We want to ensure a caring community so we req. eventual DISCORD or SITE join – but a trial period aka joining w/o is there too.

QUICK GW2 GUILD INFO (for the slackers in us all):
—- PvE focus (some PvP, open to more and WvW)
—- Smallish laid-back/social/highly silly longtime international multi-game guild of ALL experiences – new, vet, casual, hardcore, slothcore, no core.
—- US Pacific Based BUT International Guild (Aussie Contingent; some Europe)
—- LGBTQ, female members and supportive/safe for all walks of geeks!
—- 18+ PG-13 GENERAL, light R sometimes but we do have some families!
—- Gilded Hollow GH, 10k Influence
—- 3 event times: Sunday and Wednesday EVENINGS and Sat AFTERNOON TBA
—- Very active DISCORD SERVER and SITE (links below)
—- GW2 app (req. for Discord/bank/promotions) aka site REQUIRED to use Discord/can join w/o initially talking to officer
—- Guild in SWTOR and previously in ESO, Vanguard, and Star Wars Galaxies SWG
—- Royal Ranks w/ Cupcakes Points. We like Cupcakes. And are Cupcakes.
—- Giveaways/Future Trivia n Fashion Nights

MORE ON US SLACKERS: currently also in SWTOR (on Harbinger) we’re 100% about community, quality > quantity where people tend to stick with us, even in other guilds/games – but well, we do SLACK! Have members in Canada, Germany, Norway, and Australia!

We have the best cupcakes in the land! We have the best places in Tyria to nap! We take ALL experiences ANY who want a close-knit friendly quality > quantity community w/ a fun, goofball place to chill and make friends, have fun times!

SITE: (WARNING: Intense Steve Ditkoesque aka Doctor Strange Trippy Color scheme/images may cause eye bleed and acid trip flashbacks)

http://xtraordinaryslackersguild.com/home
GW2 app (req. for Discord/bank/promotions)

DISCORD: (site join required to use. If accepted w/o site join, will have temp access).

IF you want to just apply, get perks, and not be a smelly dirty peasant slacker, DO SO HERE: http://xtraordinaryslackersguild.com/gengw2app

TIMES/ACTIVITIES:
SATS: TBA (afternoon time, non-missions)
SUN: 10:00pm PST/05:00 GMT (small group)
WED: 9:30pm PST/04:30 GMT (missions/open)

REQUIREMENTS/RULES:
—- APP or SITE JOIN ONLY REQ. FOR PROMOTIONS
—- DISCORD is eventually req. – you have a 1 week trial period w/o site or discord join
—- Discord voice req. (MIC IS NOT) to run w/ our event nights; w/ exceptions. Never have to speak, just listen up maggots!
—- Rep guild when we do missions/guild events but we DO NOT req. 100% rep.
—- We ask to BE mature (18+ rec, but we can make exceptions), have a sense of humor BUT be respectful! We aren’t prudes but NO excessive SEX, DRUG talk, in moderation is fine. Go hang your kitten in another guild!
—- WE ARE 100% respectful towards EVREYONE with NO HATE, only love for all LGBT, gender, species, race, introverts, social phobics, etc. Any slurs, misogynistic, hateful comments is an instant mega ban. ALSO – NO general political/religious stuff
—- You WONT get kicked for not playing a week or a month RL happens. Tho you may not rank up either :P

RANKS are COMMUNITY BASED and ROYAL THEMED – they transfer to all games minus limitations.

King Slacker (GM/me), Queen Slacker Prince/Princess (Vice GMs), Archduke (GW2 Vice) Dukes (officers), Counts (subofficers) Lords (elders), Knights (full members), Nobles (novice), Peasants (recruits, and likely you if u join :P

Leadership is full all ages, genders, culture. A slacker stew of communal goodness!

MAN, if all this jibber jabber didn’t convince you we’re a wasted spot in your choice of 5 guilds, I don’t know what will! (AGAIN, QUIRKY HUMOR!

CONTACTING: Reply here, or PM or message in-game:
EriskRedLemur.7153 (King Slacking GM)
darkroomradio.5412 (Vice GM)
Infiniterose.7389 (Elder Supreme Salad)
Voxyn.8713 (Lt. Officer/Terminal Slacker/German Uber Nobody)

My DPS/survival Open World build -

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vNMQJATRnUqA9CitCCGsCctgl/A7JN8DOaLvuMQAAOtGXvrl480A-TRTDwALOEAJUCCSXwLVCUqki5+DVuAAPOCA9UiAwk3hHAAM1deqcIAACA38mBpA0TkF-e

It’s not about maximizing DPS – it’s open world it’s unnecessary – I like some beef. Also, I keep the same armor I use in WvW since I’m lazy; so that’s why it’s Trooper Runes; which is not bad at all generally, if you use shouts. But there’s more offensive runes. I still would use soldier armor for more vit.

Also, I use LB less, I have a open world support build w/ staff more heals. Which is nice during WBs, HoT trains, etc. as I prefer to support than DPS then. But this has more power and nice balance imo if not doing much support.

I use Druid overall still because well, yes 33% speed, free utility slot, and w/ GS I stun/daze so Ancient Seeds is nice. Marksmen I switch to Skirmishing sometimes.

Honestly, they just need to balance pets so – HoT ones aren’t literally the best ones. Essentially, where u just use a few in every situation because that’s simply the best option.

I’d love it where u’d bring out a pet for a certain boss or battle or type. That sorta is true in some ways, but yeah, I’d rather have some current pets just not be useless.

Meta changes with next balance update whjich could eb tomorrow. Just FYI. Nor imo should one base their class on something fleeting; may be sorry later if you don’t actually like the class.

It’s sorta funny looking at profession threads, EVERY one claims they are horrible literally, or complain about OTHERS, and then see their threads they complain how bad they are. And, sPVP is not the same as WvW or Raids or Fractals or Open World; so one class may still be great in Raids but not in WvW, etc. Like go to the Ele forums, you’d think they are the worst class to ever play an MMO……

EVEN SO – it’s all so negative it’s always funny to be u have to be mindful BUT there’s still good infos there.

Fay has solid start builds like – really great. Honestly hard to post better other than a few preferences for Open World. Obv may adjust build depending on open world situation, like if wanted to do more support, etc. Maybe solo a lot, HoT, full zerk is ultimate glass cannon on Mesmer so vit/toughness boost is great in Open World.

Love the general raid build for DPS/support. Because you will be support/DPS rather, support first. Fay was honest If you are all about max DPS and only DPS; you chose the wrong class my friend Mesmer is the most support focused of any class.

If anything I fear a Druid heal nerf not buff/change. Maybe also work on OTHER weaps like short bow… be nice to have a little more variety in Rangers kitten nal.

Signet of Inspiration? So they’re nerfing a signet we don’t have? :P

DH traps/skills will be nerfed, they won’t nerf symbols or sword or scept that is by far not the issue that brough Guardians relevant again and traps are being abused. Guardian’s imo have just been the battlecry for whiners because other classes like ele and engi got nerfed and Guardian was the only class that got a significant buff as a class. If there was more balance to OTHER classes it’d be not such an issue. Tho I do think there is DH specific balance stuff to have happen.

Long as anet doesn’t intertwine DH with base Guardian and nerf base guardian and not DH aspects; and kitten the class again – it’s fine

It may be a while but there are sales; had one recently. Prob be one end of nov.

Are you altaholic? Char slot is a must – 5 is NOT enough :P You into fashion? TOTAL MAKEOVER KIT – yes! View appearance preview person first to see unique looks get w/ kit before deciding to buy one but – that’s gem money I have to spend on.

IMO QOL MUST HAVES -

BANK TABS – if ur one char only, or 2 – it may be wasted; more – a MUST.
SHARD SLOT – this ramps up gems, but sharing ascended gear/OR black lion kits, etc. is nice. However –
INVENTORY EXPANSION – one thing you’ll discover at 80, is u will need more bags. It is per char tho.
TOOLS – whichever ones – yeah they are nice; but it’s per char.

EXPANDER – - more mats. 250 max is small, believe me whether you craft or don’t craft; you’ll have inventory filling with excess mats. If u have enough bags or bank tabs, it may not matter. I’d rather get another bank tab than this personally. Eh depends how OCD u are,

LW2 – still discounted; if you are into story, lore, it is worth it. Also, each chapter is a mastery point and unique rewards. But if u are PvP, all about 80 quick as can, skip dialogue during stories, well – clearly then this is a waste

A lot depends on you tbh, some ppl could care less about their char looks; I am not that person, so total makeover kits are well spent for me, others may think it’s wasted.

Others may disagree about airship pass or elsewhere, etc. I got a 150 2 week pass; not sure I’d want to spend 1k; that’s a if on discount item for me.

AS FAR AS ARMOR QUESTION – Nothing in gemstore matters other than fashion wise for armor type. That’s personal choice you can preview available looks. Also, for me wings (one) was worthwhile investment glider skins. Mostly.

Agreed. It’s super addicting and enjoyable! And I’ve not even tackled Fractals really yet. There will always be ppl who prefer PvP and PvE is a nuisance that has to be done for things. So idk you’ll get a lot of varied responses. Having played many MMOs, it’s one of the better PvE systems imo. I enjoy it a lot!

metabattle.com – browse through forums.

Also – u don’t mention u want to full DPS? Support? I mean, I can say scepter, sword are the DPS weaps for Guard now. GS has uses. Guard is in a great spot. A bit hated in PvP; u likely will see a DH nerf of traps.

I don’t have builds but metabattle good start. And peeps will post here.

This is why ascended armor can be tricky yeah you can change stats in forge. But u find u probably need a few sets for different game types. And exotic is fine esp Open World. Open World PvE – leveling – bosses – yeah toughness and vit is great. Actually I use same set I use in WvW for that PvE often.

But going to Raid/Fractal is where toughness is tough – unless u tank. And too much vit too; if maximizing DPS.

PERSONALLY in open world I don’t like full zerker. Unless u take that into raids and are lazy and I am trust me why I take my WvW sets into PvE :P Just not Raids/Fractals. Where I am building sets for.

Honestly, partly due to being lazy, doing WvW – where w/ my role I went soldiers armor – (initially) – well I kept it through open world PvE. That includes HoT/levelling. I use zerker weaps, accessories, mix more vit/tough in when needed. I still do enough and good DPS and definitely survive a lot more. But just making only armor – or some accessories PVT = a lot better imo. It’s open world, toughness doesn’t matter in terms of pulling threat/etc.

I am not proficient enough in Ele to be full zerker; coming from Guard and Druid main. And unless you are full condi build, u still do great DPS long as mix zerker in. Soldiers was just the cheapest/easiest PVT option also.

It depends on dungeon tho – there’s reasons to do some; practical – monk runes for ex only way to get those is do Ascalon. Depending on time of day that one is not hard to get going. Some others too. And tbh, w/ 1 person who knows paths, esp if ur all 80, u don’t need a full group.

it definitely sucks for newer players like me tho I’ve played 7 months I’ve barely done any dungeons and they are fun. But, I totally get why not; and anets been clear no plans to change/update them.

I don’t mind even every 4 months balance changes but – Anet sledge hammers balance changes and wait 4 months to pick any pieces up – they often times it shifts one class “out of meta”; not just PvP; and waiting 4 months for ANY changes just sucks for that class.

Anet had mentioned more frequent balance updates; I guess that’s for next year lol. My guess is when the big halloween update comes will be balance stuff.

Check EVERY MMO forums – same exact type of issues. Class/game imbalanced, nerf this, PvP sucks this game, etc. Even a game like Blade and soul has constant whining for PvP. This isn’t League of Legends.

Anyways; I just want some quicker updates; quarterly in this game is slow; because anet has a big update/class “balance” and screws meta or a class out of it, when just a few tweaks can fix things but no – gotta wait 4 months. One of my few major gripes for the game. Granted, there are stuff like Fractal boon thieving that was fixed, which fixed a class like Guardian in Fractals; I honestly thought it’d not be addressed until quarterly.

Anyways; esp PvP slanted balance which is what most ppl complain about there’s never gonna be balance. But more balancing can happen aka more updates with class tweaks not just one massive meta shift a few times a year. W00t.

I still haven’t used by 80 boost; I enjoy leveling and getting feel for class that way. And levelling is quick in this game, XP boost and gain levels like a slot machine.

All subjective; I started as a Ranger; went to Guardian and got that to 80 first, went back got Ranger to 80 and LOVE Druid. But I love the heals. I also love it’s DPS playstyle I go GS/LB or GS/Staff or Sword/X – and pets! That being said, I agree your style may be better for Thief.

Also, you CAN “test” a class use boost on lvl 1 char – do NOT leave silverwastes or finalize boost.

Appreciate the time spent making this; do not appreciate trying to confuse and pass it off as legit and waste ppl’s times. Esp newer players. I’ve learned in my relatively short time in GW2 that players have better ideas often than Devs, and they seem to not even read the forums – and it sets yourself up for disappointment when the REAL patch notes are released.

Meta is that for a reason it changes drastically at times; Anet tends to do quarterly balance changes that may be more in future tho.

Necro is the sure lasting condi class. Mesmer tho can be great, Engi is awesome condi it’s not meta like before but can return easily; and Ranger has great condi as well, tho again, depends on game type.

But Condi is more expensive; sadly… at least, to really maximize things; Viper is it and outside of PvP have to craft it. Certainly there’s other options like Rabid, Carrion, Sinister etc. that will work as build towards Viper/other as can buy off TP or karma vendors for those sets. And you’ll need something as get yourself viper or other; unlesss sPvP. Condi imo requires more dedication of gears.

Using a i3 6100 hyperthreaded CPU; with a strong GPU; this game runs like butter almost all maxed settings. Obv heavy WvW or WBs can lag some but nothing horrible. Now, OTHER games, future proofing, and multi-tasking are the reasons to go i5.

I can’t have too many browser windows, TS3, stream, etc. and expect to run full settings in a 100 zerg WvW rush and be smooth.

Ppl also overlook their monitor. 1080p vs 2k/4k is BIG. 60 frames? A lot of ppl overkill for 1080p or under for 2k/4k. It all depends on YOUR needs/other.

Buran.3796:

nerovergil.5408:

Like kitten wth… freaking tanky and can spam huge aoe nuke…wtf anet? what balance spvp team thinking? what fun in playing op class? this isn’t esport at all!!! i never meet an op class like DH in all my 20 years of gaming.

Bad grammar, poor skills, mediocre trolling attempt; will score 2/10.

Only one DH in the whole roster of 30 players in the last weekend World Tournament (which anyway performed poorly) should be enough to stomp any claim about the “DH opness”.

This. I also find it sad this guy with supposed 20 years of gaming has never seen a more OP class. Like – what games you’ve been playing, tetris? DH doesn’t make top 30 of OP classes in games/MMOs over the years. These troll nerf posts get more amusing.

Looks like fractals is back on the menuboys!

https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/71840587.jpg

Thanks all! Very interesting builds and ideas. Sadly, I do not have Zealot’s gear/craft. Exuberance runes is an interesting choice I sorta like it. I figured I had a high HP in my question, 500-600 seems ample with transference sigil/renewl I’d def make my staff heals. And of course, rice balls if I need more heal boost pending situation.

Maz and Bast Bow – very close to my thoughts; rune choice interesting as said; no Crusaders and prob would go different as u said anyways. I do like GS and that build; I actually was thinking over more shout druid go sigs/glyphs. Despite my having a shout/trooper set. Great tips all! Thanks! :p

Idk what you did at 80 – now, levelling you don’t need HoT; nor at 80. Elite class sure; but finish story? Maguuma Wastes? A ton listed above. Yeah, HoT opens almost a whole other game in ways; but tbh – I have HoT and other than unlocking masteries/gliding/elite – have barely got into HoT zones until I got my ranger to 80. Just too much to do vanilla; story, explore, other classes, WvW, dungeons, craft, raids, etc.

Now; caveat is I have HoT; so some QOL things don’t get in way :P It’s a choice to focus still on vanilla stuff than full on HoT but I also am still fairly new to GW2 like 6 months.

Guardian – Traveler Runes – Retreat – speed. Staff = endless swiftness. Yes, having to use skills/weap or runes to compensate for lack of speed isn’t ideal. But Traveler runes actually do compliment Guardian well. but OP said fast-paced not literal movement speed of char. And Guardian does have awesome melee combat there. Sword/x have nice shadowstep – scepter is quick – GS is never “quick” but have mobility. I love melee support.

Warrior – don’t not be one because of “hate” – Warriors are just one of the most solid classes. EVERY class has hate – either whining OMG NERF OPPP hate or class sucks hate.

I would agree try Rev – I vastly preferred over Warrior; but that’s all personal. I also preferred over thief despite thief being very fast-paced. Rev can kinda border between a thief and warrior.

I understand there’s similar threads; but actually many more “i dont want to be support/heal Druid”. So finding this answer hasn’t been easy. I am coming opposite, from a more shout druid roamer/small group play; but want build a more supporty the zerg set w/o being only a full support druid. I do that as Guardian which I am very familiar with, a reason playing shout ranger is fun it’s different yet it’s not great in zerg fights.

Coming from a Guardian main; where HP scales with heal skills better; for Druid what’s a good general minimum/goal to get HP to for sufficient heals w/o nerfing your damage totally or being a full support/heals (no monk runes/or full clerics) 700? 800?Despite ppl saying HP isnt as important on Druid it still is necessary; but perhaps not as much as it is on Guardian.
Ty!

Prob with WH imo and I love it – but with Windborn Notes. W/o it; CD are long and regen is a nice boon w/o WH is not so great. It’s too defensive IMO for Zalt’s 2nd set. And Evasive Purity if u go Nature’s is too good in WvW due to removing cripple, blind, poison which is very common. That’s why I don’t use it.

I love Zalt’s builds. You can had a happy medium I love shoutbow type as he posted first; the I’d go soldier or wand over cleric unless u actually are going to heal or use staff as support. Even then; you can use accessories for HP. But my preference. Trooper runes honestly if u use shouts are awesome it really is great on Ranger. Likely you have HEal As One, Pack, maybe another shout like Protect Me or Guard.

But need a focus – roaming? Zerg support? Power/Condi? This all informs gear. Either way – use zerker weaps not assassins for Ranger. Armor/accessory vary but it’s WvW, PVT aka Power, Vit, Tough is a great start; full zerk/no vit/tough at all is a thing but new to WvW you can easily get creamed as u are glassy. That’s why even with more DPS focused builds I like some form of PVT on armor OR then accessories. Not both.

I love GS. I’ts prob my fav GS build for any class. No, it’s not “best” in raw DPS/etc. But you said General PvE and Dungeons. Dungeons aren’t raids or fractals, that doesn’t mean you aren’t trying but there’s less or should be less elitists there and less ppl doing them regardless so they can’t be so choosy anyways… and GS does dish dmg; and solo in PvE it’s great mobile and pairs well with pet; it has evades, stuns, first strike for pet, daze. It’s more utility than pure dmg and sorta is better solo imo or WvW. BUT that’s also why you have weap swap – must u pair it with LB or Axe/x OR Sword/x – it’s quite good then and has uses aka daze/stun; pet burst attack.

I will say if u are more support like Staff Druid in dungeons I’d have maybe a more potent weap to switch to for DPS for group play, I still love GS/Staff but I’ve found sword/x or axe/x or LB works a little better if dmg becomes a lacking spot in group.

Celestial is a trick; it seems in theory or if u don’t have raw comparison numbers like ohhh this is great! It’s not bad, it’s sufficient in many ways but not ideal at all for a tanky build.

Wanderer is nice and underrated imo – Commanders depends but the OP doesn’t have those ascended. Sent is Soldiers just more vit than power and more common.

Also I recently tried trooper runes and – well, not on my Guardian but I may since Retreat and Stand Your Ground can easily be used w/ tanky WvW build. But yeah Trooper is nice alt to Dura runes.

I agree with Nor w/ WvW and Guardian except, PvE is not all the same. In Open World, levelling, even dungeons, Soldiers IS great I use it on my Guardian. PTV is nice during WBs/etc. HOWEVER – NOT a FULL SET aka weaps, armor, accessories. That’s way overkill, even for WvW. I generally have Soldiers on armor, maybe a trinket or amulet, but weaps/accessories are zerker or other depending on mode.

If u plan to do Raids/Fractals right away you definitely don’t want Soldiers as the toughness after a point will detract from the tank, and in fractals you won’t have the DPS at higher tiers.

And so begins the wonderful thing about GW2 – classes range in appeal very much. Also keep in mind many won’t have levelled to even trying elite versions. I come from Open PvE/Level/WvW perspective; and limited Raiding. Also, I am a support/heal oriented player; others come from a purely DPS or PvP perspective; I mean some classes just play better/more fun in PvP than PvE and vice versa.

Example: My personal most boring – Warrior and Mesmer (until I got Chrono; I love the support but never got into the clones play; portals however are one of my favorite things in game just everything else, eh).

Favs: Guardian (traveler runes! The pally style I love that Warrior wasn’t. And I love ALL the weaps; all my favs)

Druid (the heal/buff support I love; plays different from core ranger, at least with staff – but it’s far from a worthless burst healer as someone said above. Also, pets! And also I WvW more with my Druid so there’s that)

Tempest/Ele and Engi tho engi less these days. I enjoy the kits and attunement style lots of variety and Tempest is great DPS, support, heals well rounded. And speeeed!

Aside – I still see so many Juvenile this and that. They fixed that! It saddens me so many Rangers don’t name their pets. I don’t get it but anyways…

Lynx – Sprocket
Snow Leopard – Spot
Brown Bear – BearonGeddon (some will know what Twitch stream I watch :P
Pink Moa – Strawberryquik
Fern Hound – RogertheShrubber
Smokescale – Felicitysmoak
Bristleback – Scruby
Panther – Shadowcat
Tiger – Liono

As Support/Buffs? Great! As always; as full DPS? Condi/Pwr is viable but still many expect Druid/staff and support/heals/buffs. It depends. I don’t think as some that Ranger DPS is meh, it’s not. You can be good DPS both pwr and condi! And keep in mind updates soon metas can change by next week.

Honestly, why isn’t this in the PvP or Rev thread? My heartaches at the Ranger betraying their class. I’m sorry I mean Druids as no one actually is a Ranger :P

Seriously tho, good advice Razor. And tbh everything you said is HELPFUL TO RANGERS too to be better, as you explain why/how each skill is used. I even got some tips to improve my play. So jokes on you! :P

Was it a full 50 Squad? The only times I’ve been in zerg squad and forced to use TS was if it was mostly guild. And I get that running a guild in another game that will have to pug up some.

And that’s a reason to join a WvW focused guild; you have multiple guilds you can join but that’s when exceptions can be made.

Also it’s the Zerg, but there’s usually many squads within the zerg, depending of server/pop of course. Some Commanders just are more not hardcore even just want to have the right stuff. Some of my best times are guild organized squads of WvW. Granted, opening to pugs with 40+ can be annoying as hell in TS.

I had the same dilemma, more with WvW as I don’t fractal. Since one can sit on many laurels getting amulet and rings are easy, trinkets if have globs; tho not all stats are there.

Weaps are the thing I’d go for first. Infusions for WvW help but are not imo as vital as high tier fractals simply due to the agony. But I do fine with full exotics say for most accessories. Esp if zerging or larger squad play. Roaming/small squads the infusions may help more.

And jealous of your tequatl drops! I have a warehouse full of spoons…

ANother thing ppl always neglect to think of is their monitor res. This influences everything else tbh. Higher res = more power/expense. At 1080p, 60hz – a 950 GT is sufficient. And yeah CPU/RAM > GPU; it will bottleneck most GPUs first.

That being said, same applies for CPU. If your res is 1080p, even a newer i3 6100 or older can garner max graphics with appropriate GPU. I run this CPU as an inbetween build and the hyperthreads work for this game. I run 1080p and it runs max settings like butter on hot toast. GPU is 960 4gb; tho the gigs don’t matter. However, future proof is all i5s. I will get one when able.

The irony is they barely touched DH itself; which most ppl whine about – traps. If they nerf traps I’ll live; but don’t screw around elsewhere and ruin class again. Remember when it was Ele everybody whined to nerf… yeah…

The fanatic shoulder is boss; still my fav shoulder for Guardian. I mean there’s other nice ones I like human avenger one; but just looks cool. I toggle off helm so, never wanted the helm say for skin.

You just gotta ACCSCEPT what the best weap is now I still like my GS/Scept combo GS isn’t meta really anymore, but love sword/focus/shield pending situation as sword is fun/good now with scept too. I hardly ever not use my scepter; in any content, unless I’m heavy support mode.

Soldiers for more DPS or Sent yeah for a little more survive. Power Tough/Vit is just – too good for PvP support/tank. Celestial spreads too thinly, yeah you get other things but the key stats you want is just lower. But you don’t need to be religious about going Soldiers or PTV for everything. Do full armor, make weap cleric or zerk if you want more heals/DPS, amulet or rings/accessories.

Now you actually never state you want to be a tank/bunker/support Guard; just assumed by title and gear mentioned…

I’ve never paid for keys; and maybe been lucky on map completions for getting keys. TBH; you have free chances for big prizes w/o spending gems. No different than hoping for an ascended drop off TT or Tecatl. The difference is you CAN pay to get keys; for the same chances are drops.

I wouldn’t mind if they made gemstore bought keys a slightly higher % on rare drops. But, I’ve gotten a makeover kit, macaw wings, nice selling skins/minis; and charges I am always out of as I change my looks often so trash to u is great for me.

Now that sounds great but that’s manyyyyy chests with crap or okay stuff like charges and XP boosts (really those are awesome). If I spent a bunch of money on keys and got mostly crap I’d be annoyed too but… you have to know this when you buy keys.

the OP also didn’t just say fractals – other class may > Guardian for various reasons at higher tier Fractals. But Guardians are not subpar in PvE or Raids imo; or WvW or PvP.

Fractals are not all there is in PvE. It literally is it’s own thing, you almost need exclusive gear for it vs. other PvE content (depending on class/build yeah, but infusion are different etc.) and what a group needs, DPS is more important than anything else in fractals. If that’s what he wants to focus on, I agree Guard right now I’d not go so far as crap, but bad – however everything else they are minimum good to great. So imo enjoy Guard I love it!

It’d help if the devs had changes more often; given how they balance, or don’t – it just irks ppl. Hopefully given the quarterly lowest earnings in a while they will have more updates for things sooner not just every 3-4 months.

Remember, updates can drastically change a class. Unless you want to instantly be 80 and be competitive in PvP or min/max raids; but you love engi otherwise, GO ENG.

For many ppl engi will be wonderful as is; if you’re levelling and aren’t gonna be 80 in two days, it’s great and open world PvE it’s great. Again, ppl cry now but look at classes from last patch or seasons, they get nerfed or get buffed and peeps cry for nerf. That’s how things are

For heals or tank, well you said tank so, hammer imo. Mace w/ what is it Invigorated Bulwurk is great more heals but still slow. I mean if u block and add shield or focus yeah it is nice to tank with but again, that’s some PvE, there are better tanks sadly if you love tanking that is for fractals and Raids. You’re better off with more focus on heals and just DPS support.

1.) No but also yes. For competitive PvE or PvP; yeah. For new zones/content yeah. It’s sadly very limiting as f2p at 80. There’s certainly a lot you can still do; but you’ll prob hit a wall much sooner w/o it. Besides there’s more slots, tabs, you can actually trade and send stuff to other players…

2.) All choices viable; all can go ranged and melee. Engi/Necro are Condi DPS primarily. Which, isn’t always best in Open World/solo in that, condi takes time to work. However definitely still great. Both offer a lot of support too. Warrior is well, easy to learn and hard to much up, great survivabilty and damage.

3.) They are for skins; the gold to get ‘em pending. With wardrobe/transmutations you get a lot of things for stat and then skin unlocks. There’s a lot of exotics not too expensive on Trade Post; and if you play it right never get for price instant, always shoot lower but above current offers. Also, esp open world weapons first then rest.

lvl 78 exotics also often are better than 80 rares. And cheaper than 80 exotics. And ascended gear is not needed for many things btw; hardcore raiding and high tier Fractals mainly. Fractals more so than Raid imo depending on group. WvW too but it’s WvW exotics work fine.

2.)

Blaeys.3102:

Hexinx.1872:

Press your Y button… go to Looking for Group … -> Open World or World Bosses … join squad … port to map …

say hello to friends. it’s rude not to.

This 100%. While I have found a few dead maps, I can usually find something using LFG – either by taxiing to an active map or starting a squad. It doesn’t usually take much effort.

I’ve not an overall slight dip in the sub HoT/Bloodfen areas but still usually do to instanced map. Also, this tip, using LFG for events or OW; is great and I never used it for a while because of how the dynamic events work you don’t “need” a group for xp/loot/participate but – it simply for getting with peeps/populated/travel is great!

Rev may be preferred in Fractals but Rev still has many class issues. Revs are preferred for specific reasons. The ONLY issue that can/will be fixed I hope in Fractals more is the boon theiving with retaliation. Because Guards DPS is as said 3rd basically, and they do offer great support; only a lot of that is boon pwned.

STILL – we are in a great spot compared to previous meta or the last big update before that, Guardian was poor in everything/not wanted.

I’ve found as the patch has been out longer for Raids anyways, Guardians are more accepted/chosen. Raid wise also can be less stringent over Fractals the issues are not the same.

HOWEVER – find a guild, and no issues TBH. I vastly prefer Guardian over Warrior or Rev, so primarily go off what you find most fun, because updates/metas change. However, Necro plays a lot differently than Guardian/Rev, so may want to try each first.

Guardian is PvP – I only do WvW, but lots of options. Traps yeah all the OPness there but they are great on every line, support wise it’s awesome. LB is not really played currently.

Open World PvE/Solo – Guardian’s awesome; great DPS, can support.